Blog Category: Farmer Profiles

B.C. Business Mentorship Network – Feature on Peninsula Kiwi

Posted by Melanie Buffel on June 10, 2019

Stuart Basset is one of ten participants in the 2018/2019 YA Business Mentorship Program. His business is aptly named Peninsula Kiwi as he is growing kiwis in the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island. Stuart is new to the area and has developed a profit sharing arrangement with the landowner and is taking the stewardship of the land very seriously. Stuart’s inspiration to grow kiwis comes from growing up on a farm in New Zealand, a love for working with plants and literally being able to seeing the fruits of his labour. Peninsula Kiwi is the first business Stuart has run and he applied for the Young Agrarian … Continue reading B.C. Business Mentorship Network – Feature on Peninsula Kiwi →

Farmer 2 Farmer: Lessons From a Week Volunteering on a Patagonian Farm

Posted by Heather Shobe on February 28, 2019

“¡Tú lo sabes!” Says Aunt Rosita (You know it!). “So tidy, so good. You are a farmer!” It’s February of 20017, and I’m on a South American odyssey that includes one week volunteering on a traditional farm in Patagonia. I speak very little Spanish, and what I do know is very different than the Argentinian dialect that surrounds me. My host family speaks little English, and we’re getting by on a series of hand signals, facial expressions, and a translation app I’ve downloaded to my Ipad. As a small farm operator, I’ve hosted a number of farm-stay helpers in the past, … Continue reading Farmer 2 Farmer: Lessons From a Week Volunteering on a Patagonian Farm →

YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from Steel Pony Farm, Red Deer AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on February 25, 2019

Ohhhhhh the farm! When I think about my time spent as an apprentice at Steel Pony Farm, my heart just warms right up and my face turns into this expansive grin. It was seriously the best time. I’m stoked to have the chance to say a few words about it! Apprenticing at Steel Pony Farm was my first real exposure to farm labour, and the daily ins and outs of operating a small vegetable farm. I specifically remember one afternoon early in the season, when Mike and I were setting up a hose and pump at our water source (a … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: Reflections from Steel Pony Farm, Red Deer AB →

FARM THE BASIN: Catching up with Bent Plow Farm

Posted by Hailey Troock on February 19, 2019

Back in 2016, Young Agrarians interviewed Scott and Emma just as they arrived to BC to start their new farm in Blewett after participating in the YA Business Mentorship Network. Fast forward three years and a couple of growing seasons and the dynamic duo from Bent Plow Farm have become integral members of the local farming community. Emma is one of four Directors at Large for the Kootenay Organic Growers Society and recently presented a farmer slideshow at a YA Community Potluck at Vallican Whole. You can find more information about Bent Plow Farm on their website, the YA U-MAP, as well as … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: Catching up with Bent Plow Farm →

FARM THE BASIN: Back to the Biointensive Basics with the Kootenay Society for Sustainable Living (VIDEO)

Posted by Hailey Troock on February 01, 2019

Sharon and James are sustainable mini-farmers, natural builders, and environmentalists. Over the last five years they have been on a journey to become self-reliant and to transition towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Amongst meeting and learning from a variety of experts in their fields, as interns at Ecology Action they studied under John Jeavons to learn how to not only grow their own complete diet, but to bring sustainable agriculture back to their community as teachers. All of their experiences have led them back to what’s most important: to help build a strong, healthy community of localized and sustainable living. … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: Back to the Biointensive Basics with the Kootenay Society for Sustainable Living (VIDEO) →

YA Apprenticeship: Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm – Carstairs, AB

Posted by Dana Penrice on January 17, 2019

Are you an aspiring farmer looking for hands-on farming experience on an ecological farm? Are you interested in organic farming and biodynamic practices? Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm is looking for a farm apprentice starting this spring to join their team. About the Farm Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm is a highly diversified operation located on 160 acres of rolling prairie and parkland. Owned and operated by husband and wife team Kris and Tamara, the farm produces cereal grains, forage crops, culinary herbs, vegetables, eggs and meat products, all of which are produced organically and certified biodynamic by Demeter Canada. Farm products are marketed locally, … Continue reading YA Apprenticeship: Blue Mountain Biodynamic Farm – Carstairs, AB →

FARM THE BASIN: Beyond the Button with Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms

Posted by Hailey Troock on January 16, 2019

Robin Mercy is the owner of Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms. He lives and farms in Kaslo, BC with his partner Tamara and son Kirin. They produce strains appropriate for the local climate, from blue oysters and enoki in the shoulder seasons to white elms, lion’s mane, and reishi in the hotter months. Considering there is an estimated five million types of fungi, they hope to “stimulate curiosity and appetite in their clientele with an assortment of beautiful and unique gourmet varieties,” going beyond the white button mushroom. They also produce nourishing fungal tinctures with the help of local herbalists. Robin and … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: Beyond the Button with Mr. Mercy’s Mushrooms →

FARM THE BASIN: North Kootenay Lake Multi-Farm Tour 2018 ~ Video

Posted by Hailey Troock on October 02, 2018

“As much as I’m a farmer that grows food, I realize how important the forest is to my water and without water I don’t have a garden. I’ve been spending way more time on forest management then on trying to grow something I can sell for five bucks”. We weren’t the only ones in our group that were deeply impacted by Sara Adair’s words during our afternoon visit to her off-grid farm in Argenta. Sara hosted Young Agrarians and farmers from across the Columbia Basin on August 25, 2018. We were shown around not only Sara’s beautiful property but also given tours of … Continue reading FARM THE BASIN: North Kootenay Lake Multi-Farm Tour 2018 ~ Video →

The Agrariannaire: Meet the Farmers at Close to Home Organics

Posted by Jenna Dallmeyer on September 24, 2018

By Jenna Dallmeyer I am a member of the Glen Valley Organic Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and I recently had the special opportunity to meet the farmers behind the food. The Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative is run by members with the shared purpose of sustainably farming and stewarding their land. The 50 acre farm property is located in Abbotsford, near Fort Langley. The CSA program is run by Glen Valley Organic Farm, a partnership between Close to Home Organics and Earth Apple Organic Farm. The farmers I had the pleasure of speaking with were Chris Bodnar, co-manager … Continue reading The Agrariannaire: Meet the Farmers at Close to Home Organics →

Business Mentorship Network – Toadstools & Handtools Farm

Posted by Kristen Nammour on April 27, 2018

Michael-Anthony and Jessica farm in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island and operate Toadstools and Handtools Farm. We grow a variety of organically certified vegetables, herbs, and gourmet mushrooms. We are in our second season on newly rented land with an edited lease agreement that we pulled from the Young Agrarians website. Our passion is restorative agriculture. We aim to produce a nutrient dense vegetarian diet using low-impact hand tools, although Michael-Anthony would love to have a front-loader to move compost, and with carbon-sequestering farming practices, such as true no-till farming. We have incorporated fungi into the design of the … Continue reading Business Mentorship Network – Toadstools & Handtools Farm →